Shifting arrangement for typewriters



July. 12, 19 H. SIPPEL. 2,944,650

SHIFTING ARRANGEMENT F OR TYPEWRITERS Filed Jan. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR flan If L fl f/MAP ATTORNEY July 12, 1960 H. SIPPEL 2,944,650

SHIFTING ARRANGEMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS Fil ed Jan. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W fwd /hm n 14% ATTORNEY 2,944,650 H snrrrnvo ARRANGElv EENTFOR TYPEWRITERS Hans Sippel, Furth, Bay, Germany, assignorto Triumph Werke Nurnberg A.G., Numberg, Germany Filed Jan. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 719,180

Claims priority, application Germany Jan. 30, 1957 17 Claims. (Cl. 197-74) The present invention relates .to a shifting arrangement for shifting the type levercarrier of a typewriter or similar business machine between two positions in which upper case characters and lower case characters, respectively, are typed byv type levers mounted on the carrier.

It is known to support the type lever carrier on two pairs of levers which are pivotally supported on the machine frame. As a rule, the carrier is lowered when it is desired to type upper case letters. V

In order to produce uniform imprints of upper case types and of'lowcr case types, the upper case types and the lowercase types must be locatedsin exactly the same I relative position with respect to the platen when they are I operative due to corresponding shifting of the type lever carrier. More particularly, the upper case types and the lower case types must be. spaced exactly the same disare necessary. However, the arrangements of the prior art are only capable of a very rough adjustment, for example by means of additionalwashers, and therefore the constructions of the prior art are incapable of pro ducing imprints of upper case types and lower case types which are of the same strength.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the shifting arrangements for-.type lever carriers according to the prior art, and to provide a shifting arrangement which assures production of exactly equal imprints by upper case types and lower case types.

' other object of the present invention is to provide means for continuously adjusting the position of the turning axis about which the carrier swings during shifting movement, in order to obtain a shiftingof the upper ,case types to the positionoccupied by the lower case types in the other position of the'type lever carrier. 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shifting arrangement which can be continuously adjusted until a condition is obtained in which the upper case type and the lower case type ofthe-same type lever are located in a plane parallel to the tangential plane on point at whichthe carrier is secured to the lever means is insthe two shifted positionsof the carrier located in a plane which is parallel to a tangential plane on the opera i tive portion ofthe platen, and parallel to the plane de- 2,944,650 Patented July 12,1960

ing movement; second lever means having one end thereof connected to the carrier for turning movement; first supporting means for supporting the other end of thefirst lever means for turning movement on the support; and second supporting means for supporting the other end of the second lever means for turning movement on the support. According to thepresent invention, one of the supporting means is continuously adjustable for placing the turning axis of the respective lever means in a selected position relative to thesnpport. This position of the turning axis is so adjusted that the upper case types and the lower case types of type levers in printing position, are located in the same position relative to the platen in the two operative shifted positions of the type lever carrier.

In accordance with the present invention, the axes about which the first and second lever means turn on the vention, the second lever means are mounted on the support by a continuously adjustable pin and slot connection.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second lever means are leaf springs,. and are mounted on supporting levers which are continuously adjustable on the support by means of a slot and pin connection.

According to a modification of the present invention,

the first lever means include a pair of first levers, and

means are provided for adjusting at least one of the first levers until it is exactly parallel to the other of the first levers.

According to another embodiment of the present in vention the second lever means include two levers supported on the support by means of a common shaft so that both levers can be simultaneously adjusted.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth inparticular in the appendedclaims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when readin connection with the accom- V panying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the geometrical conditions on which the present invention is'based; i

Fig- 2 is a fragmentary. side view,partly in section,

illustrating one embodiment of the present invention, 1

elements of the typewriter which do not form part of the present invention being omitted for the sake; of

clarity; j i

Fig. 3 is a fragmentry sectional view the embodiment shown in- Fig. 2;

of a' detail 'of' i of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Referring. now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the operational principle will be explained. On a support 1, which is part of the machine frame, first lever means 2 are mounted which include a pair of first levers 2 turnably mounted on'a shaft 3. The free ends of levers 2 are turnably connected by pins 5 to a type levercarrier 4. At least one of the levers 2 has a hole 2a to which a linkage, not shown, is attached for connecting the'lever means 2 with the shift key of the typewriter. Second lever means 6 include a pair of second levers which are secured to the carrier 4 at two points 8 which are superimposed in the side views of Figs. 1 and 2,. The other ends of the second levers 6 are adjustably secured to the support 1. The adjustable means by which the second lever means 6 are mounted on the supoprt 1, and the various constructions of the second lever means 6, will be described hereinafter in greater detail. A set of type levers 14 are mounted on the carrier 4 for turning movement about shaft means 13. The type levers 14 are connected by suitable'linkage' means, not shown, to the keyboard of the typewriter. Fig. 2 shows a type lever in printing position in which its stop portion 15 abuts on the stop 16 of the segmentshaped part 12 of the carrier 4. The type head 17 carries a lower case type 18, and an upper case type 19. The printing faces of thetypes 13 and 19 on the same type lever are located in a plane 50 when the stop portions 15 and 16 engage each other,'and this plane is parallel to a tangential plane 51 on the operative portion of the platen 2 3/. The distance between the planes 50 and 51 is D. This relative position between the types 13 and i9 and the platen is obtained by the shifting arrangement of the present invention which will now be de scribed mainly with reference to Fig. l. v

in Fig. 1, the reference numeral 5 designates a first axis, the reference numeral 3 designates a second axis, the reference numeral 8 designates a third'axis, and the reference numeral 7 designates a fourth axis. In order to obtain the same distance D between the upper case types and the lower case types and the platen 20, it is ecessary that the distance A between the second-axis 3 and the fourth axis 7 is equal to the distance B between the first axis 5 and the third axis 8. The two positions 6 and of the second lever means are spaced equal angles [3 from a plane perpendicular to the plane passing through the two positions 8 and 3 of the third axis when the distancesA and B are equal: The plane passing through the two positions 8 and 8; of the third axis is parallel to the plane 50. Inthe event that the axis 7 is placed too high, that is if the distance A is greater than 4. support :1, respectively. Screws are threaded into the carrier 4 and pass through bores in the leaf springs 6. The other ends of leaf springs 6 are secured to the support 1 by adjustable supporting means. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the leaf springs 6 are secured to a threaded sleeve 9 by means of a screw 10. The threaded sleeve 9 engages a threaded bore in the support 1 and has a head 9a cooperating with the head of screw 10. When the nut 11 is loosened, the threaded sleeve 9 can be adjusted, and tightened again by nut 11. The axis of the threaded sleeve 9 extends parallel to the plane 50. The leaf spring levers 6 move between the position shown in solid lines, and the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2 when the carrier 4 is shifted. During such movement, the springs 6 are bent about the axes 7 and 8 which are defined by the bending lines of the leaf spring levers 6. As explained with reference to Fig. 1, it is necessary to exactly adjust the position of the axis 7 defined by the bending'lines of the leaf springs 6 which are superimposed in the side View of Fig.2. As best seen in Fig. 3, the supporting means are adjusted by first loosening the nut 11, whereupon the threaded'sleeve 9 is screwed into or out of the support 1. When the desired position is reached, the nut 11 is again tightened whereby the position of the axis 7 is defined. The two supporting means 9, 10, 11 of the two levers 6 are adjusted to exactly the same height so that a single axis 7 is formed by the bending lines of the levers 6.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 constitutes a modification of the adjustable supportingmeans by which the. turning uis of the upper'levers is adjusted. In the enrbodiment of Fig. 4, the two levers 6a? are rigid'and, mounted on two angular levers 23. Lever 23 has an elongated slot 22 which extends in direction of the plane 517. The angular lever 23 has two other elongated slots I 24 and is adjustably secured by screws 24a to the support I 1. The levers 6a are, respectively, mounted on'a thread the distance B, the carrier 4- would not be parallel to the plane 50 in shifted position, but wouldassume an inclined position so that the upper case types would be spaced a greater distance than the lower case type, re-

sulting in a weaker impact. If the conditions are re versed, and the axis 7 is placed too low, the type lever carrier 4 assumes an oppositely inclined position, when shifted, so that the distance between lower case types and platen becomes too small resulting in a stronger impact.

In both cases, it is necessary to adjust the axis 7 until the distances A and Bare exactly equal. The stepwise adjustment is insuflicient, and in accordance with the present invention the adjustment of the position of the aixs 7 is continuously'carriedout until the desired position is exactly obtained. According to one emobdiment of the present invention-illustrated in Fig. 2, the second lever means 6 are a pair of leaf springs-located behind eachotherin the-side view of Fig. 2. The ends of the leaf springlevers 6 are secured to the carrier d and to the ed pin 21 for turning movement about the axis 7, and

the threaded means 21 pass through the elongated slotv 22 and are secured by a suitable nut means tothc supporting means 23. When the threaded nie'ans21. are.

loosened, the position of the turning axis 7 of the levers 611 can be adjusted.

means 55 to the carrier 4 so that a relativeturninginove ment between the levers 6a and the carrier 4 about 'th'e axis 8 is possible.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the upper, lever means '7 are again two leaf'springs 6. The general arrangement of the embodiment of Fig. 5 corresponds to the showing of Fig. 2, but the adjustable supporting means by which a variation of the position of the axis 7 is obtained, are modified. A shaft 27 is mounted on the support. 1 and carries two angular levers 26. Each angular lever 26.

has a flange on which one end of a leaf spring lever. 6 is mounted by means of a screw 25. The other arm of each.

lever 26 has an elongated slot 28 through which aiscrew 29 passes. When the screws 29 are loosened, the levers 26 can be turned together to adjust the positionof the,

employs rigid levers 6a instead of leaf springs. Similar I to the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the levers 6d. are turnable on threaded pins: 30 which pass through elongated slots in angular levers 31. The two angular levers 31 are supported on a shaft 32 and turn together for ad justment of the position. ofthe axis 7. Aslot33' inthc other arm of; lever 31. permitsthe turning oflthe levers; 31 when the screws: 33; are; loosened. Screws 33- pass' It willj be noted that the'slot' 221 permits a continuous adjustment until'the axis 7 is. 10. cated at exactly the desiredplace; The slots 24 permit' an additional adjustment in the direction of the arrow E. The other ends of the levers 6a are secured by piiiot' of the lever 6a are pivotally secured to the carrier 4, as shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 2-6 illustrate modificationsof the continuously adjustable supporting means for the upper lever means. The lower lever means 2 also include two levers which are turnably connected to the carrier by pivot pins 5. It is necessary that the two levers 2, which are superimposed in Fig. 2, are exactly parallel to each other so that the axis 5 of Fig. l is parallel to the axes 7 and 8- of Fig. 1. Consequently it is preferred, to make the pivotal connection of one of the two levers 2' adjustable, and an arrangement for achieving this purpose is illustrated in 'Fig. 7. It will be understood that the construction of Fig. 7 can be combined with any of the above-described embodiments of the presentinvention, and advantageously cooperates with each embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7 one lever 2 is turnably mounted on the shaft 3, and has at the other end thereof a bushing 34. The pin 35 of an eccentric member 36 passes through the bushing 34, and carries a ring 37 which prevents axial movement of the eccentric member 36. The eccentric member 36 passes into a corresponding bore in the carrier 4. A set screw 38. fixes the eccentric member 36 in adjusted position to the carrier 4, whereby the position of. the axis 5 in Fig. 1 is determined by the axis of the pin 35. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 permits the adjustment of one of the levers 2 until the two levers 2 are exactly parallel. I

It will be understoodthat each of the elements described above, or. two or more together, may also find for turning movement; secondleaf spring lever means located above said first lever means and having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement; first supporting means for supporting the other end of said first lever means for turning movement on saidsup-' 'port; and second supporting means for supporting the other end of said second lever means for turning move ment on said support, said second supporting means ineluding continuously adjustable threaded means in threaded connection with said support for placing the turning axis of said second leaf spring lever means in a selected position relative to said support whereby said' carrier is supported by said lever means on said support for movement between two positions in which the upper case types and the lower case types of type levers supported 0n said carried are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platenwhen in porting means for supporting the other end of said first I lever meansfor turning movement on said support; and

. second supporting means for supporting the other end of as embodied in a shifting arrangement for'the type lever carrier. of a typewriter including a continuously adjustable element, it is not intended to be limited to the de tails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any Way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the. foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly-constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this in vention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended'to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims. I

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

support. v V

5. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising, in'

1. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising, in;

ing the'other end of said second lever means for turning movement on said "support, one ofisaid supporting means including continuously adjustable, threaded I means: in threaded connection with said support for placing the turning axis of the respective lever means in a selected position relative to said support whereby said carrier is supported by saidlever means on saidisupport, for movement between two positions in which the upper case' types and the lower case types oftype levers supported on said carrier are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when 'in printing position.

2. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising, in

combinatiom'a support; a type lever'carrier;first lever means'havingone end thereof connected tosaid'ca-rrier said, second lever means for turning movement on said support, said second supporting means including a leverpivotally mounted-"on'said support and having an arm supporting said other -end of said'secondlever means for movement about a turnnig axis and another ,arm formed with an elongated slot, and attaching means passing through said slot and attached to said support for securing said lever to said support in continuously adjusted positions for placing'said turning axis of said second lever means in a selected position relative to said support whereby said carrier is supported 'by saidlever means on said-support for'movement between two positions in which the upper case types and the lower case types of type levers supported on said carrier are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position.

'4. A shifting arrangement as set' forth in claim 3 whereinsaid attaching means include a threaded bolt passing through said slot and threadedly engaging said combination, a support; a type lever carrier; first leaf spring lever means havingone end thereof connectedto said carrier for turning movement; first supporting means for supporting the other end of said first leaf spring lever means for turning movement on saidsupport; second leaf springlever means including a pair of second leaf spring levers each'second leaf spring lever having one end thereof connected' 'to' said carrier for turning movement; and second supporting means for supporting the. other ends of said second leaf spring levers" on said sup 1 port, said secon-d fsupporting means including a shaft mounted on said support,'a pair of levers secured to said shaft and'haying'first arms respectively supporting the other ends of said second left spring levers for pivotal movement aboutfa common turning axis, each lever.

having a second arm formed withan elongated slot, and attaching-means respectively passingthrough said slots and attached to sa-idsupport for securingsaid levers tosaid support in continuously adjusted positions for plac-' ing said common turning axis of said 'secondleaf spring levers 'in a selected position relative to said support whereby said carrier, is supported by said leaf spring levermeans on said support for movement between two' posi-.

, tions in whichthe upper case 'typesa'nd the lower case types of type levers supported'on said carrier are adapted to berespectivelylocated in the same position relative to.

a platen when, in printing position' 6; Shifting arrangementfor typewr ters'compr-ising,fini

combination, a support; a type lever carrier; first leaf spring lever means having one end thereof connected to said-.carrier'vfor turning movement; first supporting means for supporting the other end of said first leaf spring lever means for turning movement on said support; second leaf spring lever means including a pair of second leaf spring levers each second leaf spring lever having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement; and second supporting means for supporting the other ends of said second leaf spring levers on said support for turning movement about a common turning axis, said second supporting rneans. being adjustable for placing said common turning axis of' said second leaf spring. levers in a selected position relative to said support whereby said carrier is supported by said leaf spring lever means on said support for movement between two positions in which the, upper case types and the lower case types of type levers supported on said carrier are adapted to be respectivelywlocated in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position.

7. Shifting arrangement for typewriters, comprising, in combination, a support; a type lever carrier; first lever means including a pair of first levers; a shaft mounted on saidsupport and turnably supporting said first levers; two pivot members supporting said carrier on said first levers for turning movement, one of said pivot members being adjustable relative to said carrier for placing said first levers in a. parallel position; second lever means having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement; and supporting means for supporting the other end of said second lever means for turning movement on said support said supporting means being spaced from said shaft and being continuously adjustable for' placing the turning axis of said second lever means in a selected position relative to said support in which the axis ofsaid'shaft and said turning axis of said second lever means are exactly spaced said distance from each other whereby saidv carrier is supported by said lever means on said support for movement between two positions inwhich theupper case types and the lower case types of type leverssupported on said carrier are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position. a

8. Shifting arrangement for typewriters, comprising, in combination, a support; a type lever carrier;'first lever means including a pair of first levers; a shaft mountedon said support and turnably supporting said first levers; two pivot members supporting said carrier on said first levers for turning movement, one of said pivot members l eing adjustable relative-to said carrier for placing said first levers in a parallel position and including a turnable eccentric member turnably mounted in said carrier; second ieveraneans having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement; and supporting means-for supporting the other end of said second lever means for turning movement on said support, said supporting means being spaced from said shaft and being continuously adjustable for placing the turning axis of said second lever means in a selected position relative to said support inwhich the axis of said shaft and said turning axis of said' second lever means are exactly spaced said distance from each other whereby said car rier is supported by said lever means on said support for movement between two positions in which the upper case types and the lower case types of type levers supported on said carrier are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position.

9. A shifting arrangement as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first levers are located' below said second levers.

10. Shiftingarrangement for typewriters comprising, in combination, asupport; a typelever carrier; a set of type levers including typeheadshaving upper case types and lower case types spaced from each other in one direction, each type lever being mounted on said carrier for movement to a printing position in which said types thereof are located in a first plane; lever means having one end pivotally connected to said carrier; and-adjust: able means turnably supporting the other end of said lever means on said-support for turning movement about a turning axis so that said carrier and said type levers are movable along part-circular paths about said turning axis between two positions, respectively, in which said uppercase types and said lower case types, respectively, are adapted to cooperatewith a platen when the respective type lever is in printing position, said adjustable means being continuously adjustable parallel to said direction and saidfirst plane for placing said turning axis in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane and equally spaced in said direction from the locations of said other ends of said lever means in said two positions of said carrier.

11. Shiftingv arrangement for typewriters, comprising, in combination, a support; a typelever carrier; first lever means having, one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about a first axis and having the other end thereof mounted on said support for turning movement about a second axis; second lever means located above saidfirst lever means and having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about a third axis, said first and third axes being spaced from each other a first distance in one direction; and supporting, means for supporting the other end of said second lever means on said support for turning movement about a fourth axis, said supporting means having a part spaced from said support and being continuously adjustable in said one direction for placing saidfourth axis in a position in which it is exactly spaced in said direction said distance from said second axis so that said carrier i-ssupported on. said first and second lever means for movement between two positions in which the upper case types and the lower case types of type leverssupported on said carrier are adapted to be respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position.

12. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising, in combinatioma support; a type lever carrier; a set of type levers including. type head s having upper case types and lower case types spaced from each other in one direction, each'type lever being mounted on said carrier for movement to a printing position in which said types are located in a first plane; first lever means having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about a first axis and having the other end thereof. mounted on said support for turning movement about a second axis; second lever means located above said first lever means and having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about. arthird axis, said first and third axes being spaced from each otherta first distance in said one directiomand supporting means for supporting the other end of said second lever'means on said support for turning movement about a fourth axis, said supporting means having a port spaced from said support. and beingcontinuously adjustable] in said one direction for placing said fourthaxis in a position in which it is exactly spaced in said direction said distance from said second axis so'that said carrier is supported on said first and second. lever meanstfor movement between two positions in which the upper caset'ypes and the lower case types of said type levers supported on said carrier are respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position,

13. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising-,-

in combination, 'a.support; a type lever carrier; a set-of type levers includingtype heads'having upper case types and lower case types spaced from each other in one directiomeach type lever being mounted onsaid' carrier for movement to 'a printing position in which said types are located in a first plane; firsttlever means having one end thereof connectedto said carrier for turning movement about a'first axis and'having'the other end'thereof mounted on said support for turning movement about I a second axis; second lever means located above said first lever means and having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about a third axis, said first and third axes being spaced from each other a first distance in said one direction; and supporting means for supporting the other end of said second lever means on said support for? turning movement about a fourth axis, said supporting means being continuously ment between two positions in which the upper case types and lower case types of said type levers supported on said carrier are respectively located in the same posi" tion relative to a platenwhen in printing position 14. Shifting arrangement for typewriters comprising, in combination, a support; a typelever carrier; a set of type levers including type heads having upper case types and lower case types spaced from each other in one direction, each type lever being mounted on said carrier for movement to a printing position in which said types are located in a first plane; first lever means having one end thereof connected to said carrier for turning movement about a first axis and having the other end thereof mounted on said support for turning movement about a second axis; second lever means locatedabove said first lever means and having one end thereofconnected to said carrier for turning movement about a third axis, said first and third axes being spaced fromeach other a first distance, in said one direction; and supporting means for supporting the other end of said second lever means on said support for turning movement about a fourth axis, said supporting means having a part spaced from said support and being continuously adjustable in said one direction and parallel to said first plane, said supporting means being positioned relative to said carrier for placing said fourth axis in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane and equally spaced in said direction from the locations of said third axis in said two positions of said carrier and in a position in which said fourth axis 1 is exactly spaced in said direction said distance from said second axis so that said carrier is supported on saidfirst and second lever means for movement between two positions in which the upper case types and the lower case types of said type levers supported on said carrier are respectively located in the same position relative to a platen when in printing position.

15. A shifting arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second lever means include a pair of leaf springs respectively connected at the ends thereof to said carrier and to said supporting means.

16. A shifting arrangement as set forth in claim 15 wherein said supporting means include threaded means threaded into said support and having an axis extending in said one direction for continuously adjusting the position of said fourth axis.

17. A shifting arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second lever means include a pair of levers turnably connected at one pair of ends thereof to said carrier; and wherein said supporting means include a member having a slot extending in said one direction; and threaded means passing through said slot and turnably supporting said second levers on said memberwhereby the position of said fourthaxis can be adjusted by continuously moving said threaded means in said slot.,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

